SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 2

WHEREAS, The Texas Senate takes great pride in recognizing the Honorable David H. Dewhurst for his distinguished service as the 41st lieutenant governor of Texas and for his many contributions to this state and country over the course of his outstanding career in public service; and

WHEREAS, David Dewhurst is well known for his expertise in a wide variety of fields; in addition to being a respected state leader whose service as lieutenant governor of Texas deserves the highest of accolades, he is also a successful businessman, a rancher, a cattle breeder, a community leader, and a world-ranked cutting-horse rider who was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame; and

WHEREAS, Long before launching his political career, David Dewhurst was known as a hard worker and a high achiever who was focused on a life of service; as a young man, he served his country with distinction as an officer in the United States Air Force; he went on to become a case officer in the Central Intelligence Agency, and he later served in the United States Department of State; and

WHEREAS, After his return to Texas, he established his own diversified energy and investments company and began serving as finance chair of the state's Republican Party; he played a major role in the election of many Republican candidates to office, and in 1998, he entered the political arena himself and became the first Republican since Reconstruction to be elected commissioner of the Texas General Land Office; and

WHEREAS, David Dewhurst was elected lieutenant governor of Texas in 2002, and he has served as president of the Texas Senate longer than all but one of his predecessors; he has presided over six regular sessions and 12 special sessions, and during his tenure, he has successfully balanced five state budgets without raising taxes, helped the legislature to pass the largest tax cut in state history, and played an important role in bringing about a notable reduction in state spending; and

WHEREAS, Governor Dewhurst has overseen the significant growth of the rainy day fund and has been instrumental in the addition of more than 1.6 million new private sector jobs in the state; his leadership was key to the 2006 passage of landmark school finance reform and, in 2009, to the establishment of the framework for creating more tier-one state universities; and

WHEREAS, A true statesman who is known for his integrity and high standards, David Dewhurst has been committed to ensuring the passage of legislation that is in the best interest of this state and its future; he has championed fiscally and socially conservative laws and policies, and his leadership and diligence have helped to make the Texas economy one of the strongest in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his career, David Dewhurst has pursued a course of excellence, and he deserves praise and deepest appreciation for his dedication to service and for his countless accomplishments on our state's behalf; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to Lieutenant Governor David H. Dewhurst for his many achievements and for his invaluable contributions to our state while serving as the presiding officer of the Texas Senate; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst as an expression of the highest esteem of the Texas Senate.

Eltife

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President Pro Tempore

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on January 13, 2015.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate